Give ’em 5: The Top Centers In The State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is only fitting that I start this series with the “Bigs” who anchor down low. When we think about the 5 position, so many things come to mind. How they anchor the paint, their ability to work block to block, their counter moves, their put backs, flashing to the elbow, working the pick n' roll game, ect. Some 5s even have the ability to stretch the floor, knocking down the occasional three from the perimeter. Either way, having a solid 5 on the floor is a game changer. Coaches game plan for them, opponents fear getting paint touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I scoured the state, I thought about who are some of the best centers in the state. The criteria wasn't just based on size, but those who brought an impactful punch that their squad needed. These girls hit multiple statistical categories and played a big part on both ends of the floor. Technically, could they be listed and ranked based off of production, yes. But teams/coaches use their bigs for different reasons. Here are the top 25 “Bigs” you should watch around the state. Not so much based on production, but because they are a factor in their teams success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(This ranking is not in any particular order, but by classification.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245364' first='Maddy' last='Newman'] (6'2/ Sr./Gatlinburg-Pittman)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290716' first='Aaiyanna' last='Dunbar'] (6'2/Sr./Blackman)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245369' first='Rachel' last='Griffin'] (6'3/Sr./Fayette Ware)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245368' first='Chrishunti' last='Walker'] (6'2/Sr./ Rossville Academy)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245367' first='Amelia' last='Pfeiffer'] (6'2/Sr./Alcoa)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245357' first='Celeste' last='Reed'] (5'11/Sr./White Co.)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245366' first='Josie' last='Horner'] (6'2/Sr./ Norview Academy)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Chloe Phillips (6'0/Sr./Oakland)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='876378' first='Isabel' last='Garcia'] (5'11/ Sr./ Cookeville)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='624614' first='Lilly' last='Kee'] (6'1/ Sr./ Huntingdon)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Anu Richard (5'11/Sr./ Station Camp)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409035' first='Channah' last='Gannon'] (6'0/ Jr./ Coffee Co.)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='410065' first='Jenna' last='Johnson'] (5'11/Jr./ Oak Ridge)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409016' first='Jayda' last='Bernard'] (6'2/ Jr./ Stewart's Creek)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Dacarra Ward (6'2/ Jr./ Bartlett)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409078' first='Natalie' last='Green'] (5'11/Jr./ Macon Co.)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='631113' first='Yazmine' last='Pearson'] (5'10/Jr./Kenwood)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409073' first='Chloe' last='Heath'] (6'1/Jr./ Heritage)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513231' first='Anna' last='Williams'] (6'2/So./Brentwood)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='636394' first='Samiyah' last='Jones'] (6'2/So./ Bartlett)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816630' first='Cecilie' last='Brandimore'] (6'2/So./Franklin)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513278' first='Kayte' last='Madison Bjornstad'] (6'1/So./ Providence Christian Academy)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821657' first='Marley' last='Spiers'] (6'3/Fr./ Clarksville Christian)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821728' first='Alayna' last='Duhart'] (5'11/Fr./Brentwood Academy)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779486' first='Payton' last='Richmond'] (5'11/Fr./Powell)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->